Xcel energy narrows public safety power shutoff to southern colorado

Xcel Energy has revised its plan for a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) on Wednesday, focusing solely on areas in southern Colorado. The utility company initially included parts of the Western Slope in its plan before narrowing it down on Tuesday morning.

Red flag warning issued for san luis valley

The company cited strong winds, low relative humidity, and extremely dry conditions, leading to a high risk of wildfires in certain parts of the San Luis Valley. To mitigate this risk and ensure public safety, Xcel Energy is planning for a likely PSPS starting around noon on Wednesday, potentially affecting around 14,000 customers in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, and Rio Grande counties.

The region is experiencing extreme to exceptional drought due to the record warm and dry winter. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the San Luis Valley in anticipation of this hazardous weather event.

Customers can check the utility's outage map to see if their address may be impacted by the PSPS. Xcel Energy notes that the affected areas and customer count may change as weather conditions evolve. Crews plan to begin restoring power as soon as it's safe, with weather conditions expected to improve by 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

Additionally, the company will continue to monitor a high wildfire risk event along the northern Front Range expected on Thursday. Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings will be activated across Colorado, meaning power lines will be more sensitive and can interrupt electricity flow if issues arise. This measure aims to enhance public safety during heightened risk conditions.